Sunday, November 25, 2018

Have you ever had to patch a hole in your home? What size
hole was it? And where? For smaller holes, a little putty or spackle
should do the trick. But for larger ones, well, you might have to patch
them up with a fresh sheet of drywall. Just as you might need different
types of materials to mend your walls, your dentist uses different types
of filling material to fill cavities in your teeth.
Most people are familiar with silver fillings. But some folks may think that these types of fillings are outdated or dangerous.

Let’s sort out the facts and introduce you to the cast of characters your dentist works with on a daily basis.

Amalgam

Those silver fillings are really an amalgam of different metals, including tin, silver, copper, and mercury.

Amalgam
is less expensive than other types of fillings and is extremely
durable. It is used to fill larger areas of decay as well as the teeth
that endure a greater degree of stress on a daily basis (your molars,
for example). Amalgam also hardens quickly, which can be useful for a
patient who may be unable to sit still for an extended period of time,
such as children and those with special needs.

Composite Resins

Also known as “tooth-colored” fillings,
composite resins are composed of a glass or quartz filler. They can
mirror the color, texture, and luminescence of your own teeth, making
them a great option for those of us concerned with maintaining a white
smile. They also help your natural tooth structure to remain intact and
bond more securely with your tooth than amalgam fillings do.

Composite
resins do have some drawbacks: they may create some mild sensitivity
for patients, and may stain with coffee, tea, or other foods and
beverages. Composite resins also may not last as long as amalgam.

Gold

The
gold standard in terms of durability is, well, gold fillings. Able to
last two decades or more, they are composed of gold, copper, and other
metals.

Gold is used in inlays and onlays,
as well as gold foil restorations. Most dentists these days do not
offer gold foil restorations because the technique requires highly
specialized training.

Ceramics
Most
commonly made of porcelain, ceramic is used in inlays and onlays. They
are tooth colored and more resistant to staining than composite.
However, they are more brittle and more expensive.

Glass Ionomer
This
is a filling material composed of acrylic and a component of glass
called fluoraluminosilicate (bonus points if you can pronounce that one
right!). One advantage of glass ionomer is that it releases fluoride
within the tooth, which can help prevent further tooth decay.

However,
glass ionomer is less durable than other fillings. For that reason,
dentists use it in baby teeth or smaller parts of teeth that aren’t used
for the heavy lifting of daily life (munching, crunching, etc.). Plus,
this type of filling does not match the color of your teeth as well as
composite resins.

Did You Ever Know There Were This Many Options?
When
it comes to patching tooth decay, your dentist will help you decide
your best filling or restorative options based on the severity and
location of tooth decay, as well as your budget.

There may be
only one type of filling that your dentist recommends for a particular
area of your tooth, but at least you’re more informed now about what
they’re recommending!

Friday, August 24, 2018

Planning for braces requires just that: a plan. Without one, you’ll find
yourself in the awful predicament of having to make quick and
uncomfortable budget adjustments at a time when your child is trying to
move gracefully through adolescence. The thing is, though, developing a
plan is more about knowing what sort of help is out there for you – the
cost of braces may seem daunting, but it shouldn’t be. Doctors are here
to help, and there are several options for payment. Let’s look at the
specifics.

Option #1: Flexible Savings Accounts

Flexible Savings accounts
are pre-tax savings accounts you can establish with the help of your
employer. Essentially, you tally up your intended medical expenses for
the year, and once you’re enrolled in the program, that money is made
available to you (for those medical expenses) – typically via a debit
card. You pay into the account by having those planned expenses deducted
from your paycheck in amounts equally divided across pay periods. Also,
because it’s extracted pre-tax, your spending power is increased. Put
in terms of the cost of braces, if your orthodontist suggests a budget
of 2K, because you’re taking that money out pre-tax, the actual cost to
you (if you are in the 28% tax bracket) would only be $1440. Not a bad
deal at all.

Option #2: Ask Your Orthodontist/Doctor about Payment Plans

Dental professionals understand consumers have limited insurance for
dental care. As a result, payment plans are often offered to stretch
payments over a longer period of time. Also, the larger the expense, the
more creative doctors tend to be. So, if you ask, you’ll likely run
into all sorts of payment arrangements to choose from, including
discounts for pre-payment, early pay-off, and auto-debiting. All you
have to do is ask!

The Alternative?

Waiting to plan. Avoiding orthodontic care not only results in crooked
teeth, it can also lead to more expensive future dental care because of
the resultant difficulty in cleaning crowded teeth. Also, alignment
issues are often due to concerns beyond the cosmetic. Braces may be
needed to correct developmental concerns with a child’s jawbone and bite
– both of which can affect speech, appearance, chewing and the proper
digestion of food.

Teeth aren’t in our mouth for cosmetics. They are the first tools of
digestion, the designers of our face, and the protectors of our gum
tissue. In order to work correctly, they need to fit together correctly.
And, unless your children are gifted with a perfect bite, the best
thing you can do to care for your children’s teeth is to plan ahead.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

July 23rd is World Sjögren's Day. It’s named after Dr. Henrik
Sjögren (pronounced SHOW-grin), the Swedish ophthalmologist who noticed
a connection between patients he was seeing with dry eyes, and patients
who suffered from a consistently dry mouth. Further investigation
resulted in the discovery that these symptoms where caused by an immune
system attack on these patients' moisture-producing glands. Today,
approximately 4 million Americans live with this chronic disease, and
many more go undiagnosed. Let’s take a quick look at the symptoms, and
learn more about this disease that causes more than just the occasional
parched mouth.

What is Sjögren's?

Sjögren's is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease in which people’s
white blood cells attack their moisture-producing glands. However, it
has also been known to cause dysfunction
of other non-exocrine organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal
system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous
system. While you may not have heard of Sjogren’s, you’re likely aware
of world tennis star, Venus Williams, who discovered she had the disease herself in 2011.

What are the primary symptoms?

Among individuals with Sjögren's, the most common symptoms include
fatigue, joint pain, and dry eyes and mouth. However, since these
symptoms can also point to other illnesses, Sjögren's is often
misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all. This is such a pressing concern
for medical professionals involved in diagnosing and caring for
Sjögren's patients, they have made it their mission to cut the time to diagnosis
in half by 2017. Currently, the diagnosis isn’t typically made until a
person with Sjögren's has been suffering with symptoms for 4.7 years on
average – a fact that often leads Sjögren's patients to experience
complications related to the disease like cavities, oral thrush, and
vision problems.

When does it develop? Can kids be affected?

If I have Sjögren's, does my dentist need to know?

Yes, without a doubt, your dentist plays an important role in the
management of Sjögren's. They may also be the first person to suggest
you see a specialist for further examination. Since Sjögren's affects
the body in a variety of ways, patients often work with a team of
medical professionals, including rheumatologists and ophthalmologists,
who work together to help patients control this complicated illness.

For more on the importance of saliva, and how it affects your teeth and
overall health, read perhaps the best article on saliva you’ll ever read
in your life, on the European Food and Information Council’s website. Saliva is indeed, amazing stuff!

Friday, May 4, 2018

If you have a desire to stain your teeth, consuming multiple cups of
coffee a day is a sure way to get you there. That much you likely
already know. What you may not know, though, is that drinking coffee in
moderation can actually help you protect your teeth, because of
coffee’s unique anti-bacterial properties. And, coffee isn’t alone in
this regard. Tea, too, has some pretty marvelous properties, despite its
propensity to stain teeth as well! So, if you’re a fan of a cuppa’ warm
joe or tea in the morning, read on … you’ve got one more reason not to
give it up!

The main reason coffee and tea are good for you? Antioxidants.

Scientists believe antioxidants (polyphenols and catechins,
specifically) help reduce inflammation in the body, aid in reducing
cholesterol and high blood pressure, and protect against heart attack
and stroke. They also help reduce inflammation in your mouth. Find ‘em
in fruit, vegetables, red wine, coffee, and chocolate to name a few.

If you do want a good reason to keep drinking coffee and tea, though,
the trick is to consume each without cream and sugar (sugar and cream feed bad bacteria).
You may also want to enjoy them “warm” as opposed to excessively hot.
There is some speculation about how the temperature of your beverage can
affect the lining of your esophagus. Visit this article for more on that concern.

Fluoride, trigonelline and caffeine

Tea: The benefit? Fluoride!
We all know that at prescribed and monitored levels, fluoride is good
for our teeth. But did you know black tea contains fluoride because of
how its leaves absorb fluoride from the soil?
More, it seems, than the plain glass of water coming out of your
faucet, even! This, of course, can have good and bad complications for
your teeth. If you drink from a non-fluoridated water source, ask your
dentist or physician if they think it may be beneficial to drink a bit
of tea from time to time. Over-consuming black tea, though, has been
shown to affect rates of skeletal fluorosis.

So, as with anything in life, moderation is key. And any time you want
to start doing more of something you’re not doing already, from
ingesting new foods to ramping up the exercise, always consult with your
family physician first.

Coffee: The benefit? Trigonelline!
Trigonelline is what’s known as an alkaloid. And this alkaloid appears
to be of specific benefit to our teeth. It’s found in its highest
levels in Arabica coffee beans, and research suggests
it interferes with cavity-causing bacteria’s ability to adhere itself
to tooth enamel. Research is ongoing, but it does seem to be another
feather-in-the-cap of your morning “joe.”

Tea and Coffee: The benefit? Caffeine!
Ah, caffeine – beloved and vilified. Yes, we know. And, we know that
caffeine can cause some people to experience anxiety and increased
stress, which could lead to teeth grinding and clenching. And that is most certainly NOT good for your teeth. Or, jaw. Or, bone structure, in general.

Where caffeine is a benefit, though, is in its apparent ability to
impact longevity in patients with oral cancer. And, that’s something to
think about. Read up on the study
yourself and make a decision that’s best for you. Recent research also
suggests caffeine in coffee may help protect individuals from liver cancer as well.

SO! Everything in moderation, right? If you like a morning beverage, we
hope this little primer gives you a bit more to think about!

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

To
pacify or not to pacify, that is the question! If you’re a parent, or
currently expecting, you’ve probably heard every possible recommendation
and condemnation you’ve ever wanted to hear regarding pacifier use.

What is a dedicated, thoughtful parent to do?

Well,
we’re here to help. And, it’s not as cut and dry as you think. In fact,
we’re pretty sure you may just be surprised by our second biggest
“pro.”

The Biggest Pros

It’s a superb calming mechanism:
It would be difficult for many-a-parent to imagine being able to soothe
a crying, restless baby at the doctor’s office, on a plane, or at
naptime without a trusty pacifier nearby. Pacifiers are most certainly
named appropriately.

May help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): This is a biggie. The Mayo Clinic reports that having a child suck on a pacifier at naptime and bedtime might reduce the risk of SIDS.

The
Mayo Clinic also suggests that if you're breast-feeding, you should
“wait to offer a pacifier until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and you've
settled into an effective nursing routine.”

The Biggest Con

Extended use can create tooth development concerns: Extended
thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and pacifier use beyond the arrival of
your child’s primary teeth can be problematic for the development of a
proper bite.

Each
of these habits tends to place undue forward-pressure on upper teeth
and reverse, downward-pressure on bottom teeth – both of which can
impact the proper development of a child’s jaw.

Your dentist and pediatrician can work with you to help curb these habits, but awareness is the most important first step.

What about the Baby Bottle?

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Streptococcus
mutans, the bacterium that contributes to tooth decay, is fond of teeth
no matter if they're in your mouth or your baby’s.

As
a general rule, you’ll want to limit snacking, avoid placing anything
sweet on a pacifier or bottle to get a baby to take to it, and avoid
sharing your spoon with your child.

Why?

Because
a diet high in refined carbohydrates contributes to larger populations
of this bacterium, and sharing a spoon transfers the bacteria that exist
in your mouth to your child’s mouth. Infants have very little of this
bacterium to begin with, but you have lots!And, yes, it’s contagious!

Thursday, February 15, 2018

There’s
hardly anything more irritating than a canker sore. Sure, they’re tiny
and only last a few days, but when you’ve got one, just about every word
spoken and every bite taken hurts like all get-out.

What exactly are those little buggers, and how in the world can you ease the pain fast?

To know the medically proper name for a canker sore is to understand why it hurts so much.

A
canker sore is actually an ulcer. An Aphthous Ulcer to be exact. These
painful ulcers come in two forms, minor and major, and are surprisingly
experienced by only about 20% of the U.S. population.

Minor
cankers (common in people between the ages of 10 and 20), are the
smaller of the two, as the name would suggest, and last about 7-10 days.

Major
cankers can last from two to six weeks, have noticeable depth, and
often have irregular borders. This type of sore is more common after the
age of 20, and is essentially a recurrent canker, returning to a site
previously impacted by a minor canker.

Who Gets Cankers?

While cankers affect both genders, girls tend to get them more often, likely because of hormonal fluctuations.

Aside
from that, most people are believed to get cankers due to genetics– and
the condition is triggered by spicy, salty or abrasive foods.

If
you or your kids are among those unlucky people gifted with canker sore
genetics, there is hope! Arrest the pain and speed up the healing
process with this short shopping list:

Rinses(use four times a day)

Hydrogen Peroxide – Equal parts peroxide and water

Salt and baking soda – Add a half teaspoon of both to 4oz. of water

Numbing Agents

Brands like Orajel® and Kank-A® can provide relief

Protective Pastes

Milk of Magnesia – dab on a cotton swab and use four times daily after the hydrogen peroxide rinse.

Baking Soda and Water Paste

Antimicrobial Mouthwashes

If
your children have a sore lasting beyond the two-week mark, make an
appointment to see your doctor to evaluate their case. Prescription
medications might be necessary to bring them much-needed relief.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Cavities – they're not just for adults. Streptococcus mutans, the
bacterium that contributes to tooth decay, is a rather indiscriminate
little purple menace, and is quite fond of teeth no matter if they're in
your mouth or the mouth of your baby. Keeping their mouth as clean as
you keep your own can help you stay ahead of early childhood cavities,
and only read about baby bottle tooth decay instead of experiencing it
firsthand.

With that in mind, here are seven
tips that can help you in the fight against Streptococcus mutans (S.
mutans), and keep baby bottle tooth decay at bay!

Limit Snacking:
Whenever a person consumes any type of food or beverage, the pH level
lowers and the mouth becomes more acidic to aid in digestion. This first
step in our digestion process ends about 30 minutes after we eat, and
the pH returns to normal to help protect our teeth. When we snack,
though, our teeth remain bathing in this acidic environment, wearing
down tooth enamel, and providing a breeding ground for S. mutans. The
same, of course, is true with infants who feed continually, or without a
long enough break. You can counter this effect by planning mealtimes
with a reasonable start and finish time. Ask your dentist or GP for the
best advice for your child.

Avoid The Sugar Dip: Some
parents are prone to dipping pacifiers in substances like honey or
sugar to acclimate a child to using the device. This is generally a bad
idea. For the same reasons you wouldn't want to suck on a honey stick, you shouldn't give one to your child as well. Bad for the teeth.

Don't Share The Spoon:
Here's a surprise! Did you know that tooth decay can be transmitted
from one person to another? By sharing your child's feeding spoon, you
can actually transmit S. mutans living in your mouth to your child. If
you want to use a spoon to show your child it's okay to eat in this
fashion, you're best off using your own spoon, and then doing a little
slight-of-hand-swicheroo.

Keep A Washcloth Nearby:
For children who currently do not have teeth, use a washcloth to clean
their gums after eating. Think of this as tooth brushing 101.

Brush Away: And,
for those lucky enough to have teeth already, use a child-safe
toothbrush to clean away any food debris after a meal. It's good
training for your child, and good for their teeth as well!

Obey Naptime Rules: Restrict
bottle usage prior to bedtime, or at least brush or wash their mouth
prior to bed. Allowing a child to sleep with a bottle is considered to
be the number one reason for baby bottle tooth decay as
the bottle tends to continually drip into the child's mouth. For more
on why this is important, see tip, #1.

As you can see, avoiding tooth decay in children is really quite simple,
and involves many of the same rules we have to follow as adults.